P D W, muzzle loaded less lethal personal defensive weapon

ABSTRACT

This concept of a less lethal firearm is a new idea in an old adage. The weapon is designed to be discharged with either left or right hand. It expels non-metallic ball projectile(s)  20.  It discharges only blank power load cartridges  22,  where the cartridge gas chamber  04  is bored only to fit this casing. These blank power load cartridges  22  are of low caliber and rim fired. The weapon has a simplified firing mechanism FIG.  5,  allowing all legal aged persons to discharge the weapon regardless of gender or physical disabilities.  
     It is designed in a club/striking defensive characterized shape FIG.  9.  The weapon is Small enough in design to be easily concealed on one&#39;s person (as per laws). The weapon can be constructed from all polymer, therefore making it light-weight. The bore  03  is not of a standard caliber. The projectile weight is extremely less than that Of standard leaded projectiles. Making the kinetic energy, in foot pounds, much less than that of leaded projectiles. A physiological effect is produced in the suspected targets mine, by the feeling of being struck by a projectile and not knowing if the projectile was a lethal bullet or not. (“Fear of the Unknown”)

REFERENCES CITED

1160343 November 1915 Tomaszewski 42/1 1858601 May 1932 Sedgley 42/1 2050861 August, 1936 Rolston 42/1 2073128 March, 1937 Wadsworth 42/1 2444920 July, 1948 Davis, jr. et al 42/1 2634535 April, 1953 Borders et al. 42/1 3707794 January, 1973 Rocha et al. 42/1 3721032 March, 1973 Shum, Jr. et al. 42/2 7328809 April, 1973 Mulich et al. 42/1 5233774 August, 1993 Leibowitz 42/1 5364097 November, 1994 Lyon 42/1 5388361 February, 1995 Farr 42/1 6463688 October, 2002 Idehara 42/1

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to less lethal Personal Defensive Weaponry, projectile launching club firearms in general (past and present) and psychological weaponry.

As conventional Personal Defensive Weapons have their limitations such as close contact weapons, pepper sprays on windy days and battery operated weapons that fail to work, due to dead batteries, or corrosion. A new less lethal P. D. W. type firearm is needed to overcome all the limitations of the prior arts. One that can be used in all types of weather conditions, one that has greater reaching range and accuracy. One that can inflict psychological trauma to both human and beast. One that can be used by persons with hand(s) disabilities comfortably, and reliably.

Up until now there has not been a less lethal firearm type weapon as the present invention. There have been club/striking P. D. W. type firearm combinations known in the art, as evidenced by an earlier issued patents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,160,343 issued Nov. 16, 1915, discloses a combination club and firearm. There are others that have come before and others afterwards. The latest (in ref.) being U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,688 issued Oct. 15, 2002. All these designs were advanced in there day, though scope and spirit were totally lethal.

Today however, with the atmosphere in which the world is in, individuals are seeking more simpler and less lethal ways to protect themselves and there property.

With fast paced manufacturing, and the need to bring to market products from the less lethal industry to the consumer, less lethal firearm type weapons need to be constructed simply (meaning less parts) and capable of being made entirely from one form of material.

The following are areas where the designs of the past and present arts are problematic with the spirit, scope and design of the present less lethal P. D. W. firearm. The lengths of the weapons of the past and present art, external charging handles or mechanisms attached to the bodies of the weapons, they discharge conventional type ammunition or shotgun shells, or types thereof, many expel lead projectiles, they discharge center fired ammunition, many have designed maximum effective ranges greater than 36 feet(a person skilled in the art would know), they appear to discharge large caliber ammunition(for the use in which they were designed), the ammunition in many are self contained, shells(projectile(s),powder and primer). They only offer one or two safeties, they were mainly designed for one specific group or organization they have strong recoil, the firing mechanisms have numerous parts and in themselves are problematic. The one in art design U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,361, appears to use a twisting rearward motion to initiate the safety and release it. This would be rather difficult for persons with physical disabilities or impairment. Many of them were designed to be totally lethal in spirit and scope, the total weight of the projectile(s) are much greater than that of the present less lethal projectile(s) used in the present invention, they are very numerous in parts, their main parts are assembled in various manors that are not centered. This would tinned to make the unit weak at these off centered areas. Concealment is a priority in at least 45 states here in America, in order to carry a firearm. The past art by their designs can not be easily concealed on ones person. Many required two hands to (discharge) activate the weapon.

The battery operated units face the same environmental and mechanical problems as flashlights. Moisture, dust, dirt, faulty switches, broken connections, corrosion, breakage from actual usage and dead batteries. Due to the numerous parts in their designs, routine maintenance would have to be accentual.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The P. D. W., less lethal muzzle loaded personal defensive weapon/club is disclosed. The weapon at present design is that of a less lethal club striking firearm. By converting the spirit and scope of the past and present art to a less lethal format, as a whole, a less lethal firearm was constructed. Past and present art designs posed challenges to the new weapon's design.

The followings are the areas where the converting and altering have occurred to bring the present firearm to it's status and solved the challenges that presented themselves in making such a weapon.

Shortened in length (8.25×1.25 inches), charging mechanism is external, but not physically attached to the body of the weapon, discharges only blank power load cartridges(nominally 0.22 cal.), is not electrically operated, expels plastic or rubber ball projectiles(at present), discharges rim fired cartridges, maximum effective range to 36 feet, has virtually no recoil, the cartridge casing, powder and primer are loaded separately from the projectile(s), present invention has four safeties that are declared, present invention is designed for all legal individuals not a specific group or organization, the present invention has a specially designed firing mechanism which is easier to manipulated by anyone(with or without physical disabilities), the present invention is designed to be totally less lethal, by having its' cartridge, gas chamber drilled only to the diameter and length of the blank 22 cal. cartridge casing, expelling 9.35 mm plastic or rubber ball projectiles, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be less lethal, the weight of the projectiles are drastically reduced to 8.2 grain plastic ball, 10.2 grain rubber ball, has 22 parts (four that actually move), present invention has two parts that thread together at or near the center and are almost equal in length(4.0 inch/4.25 inch) making the strength greater and less vulnerable to damage from blows, due to its' length and diameter it is easily concealed (as per laws) in a carrying pouch. Requires one hand for discharging the weapon.

The weapon comprises of the Barrel assembly, consisting of male mating threads, a smooth bore, cartridge/gas chamber and an o-ring seal. The rear receiver(in which the lift-lock firing mechanism is retained) is comprised of female mating threads, trigger plunger, trigger plunger spring, trigger plunger spring cap, firing pin, firing pin spring, firing pin spring cap, trigger plunger chamber, trigger plunger firing pin guide hole, firing pin milled shoulder, firing pin nail type head, safety pin hole, safety pin, trigger plunger chamber, firing pin guide and spring chamber. The weapon has four safeties; manual pin insertion, ⅛ inch safety gap(firing pin no-strike zone), a retractable firing pin, and total separation, of the complete barrel assembly and the charged rear receiver.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means to protect one's person and personal property, by less lethal means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a less lethal personal defensive weapon with greater range and hitting accuracy, that can be used in all weather conditions and that can inflict psychological trauma to both human and beast, by creating the elusion of possible injury.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide to Law-enforcement a means to subdue a belligerent suspect by using a pacifying chemical type less lethal projectile(s) or any other various type of chemical pacifying projectile(s) preventing any serious injuries to the field officer or suspect.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a less lethal firearm that is capable of being a single shot firearm, as well as being capable of being used as a mini-shot gun, discharging up to three less lethal projectiles (in present design), while using only one blank power load cartridge.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a less lethal firearm for men, women and aging citizens with or without physical disabilities, that find it difficult to handle and/or use a typical present day firearm.

It is the object of the present invention to be the new generation of LESS LETHAL type firearms for the general public and Law-enforcement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the Airline industry with a very conceal able weapon against hi-jacking, since the present projectiles will not penetrate an air-crafts' hull.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a less lethal firearm that can discharge an array of other less lethal projectiles, that maybe designed in the future.

Another object of the present invention is to provide as totally less lethal firearm type weapon as can be constructed, for the legal aged individual that is not intimidating. That's easy to used and maintain as well.

By design the present invention only discharges less lethal type projectiles and only uses blank power load cartridges (low caliber) as the propellant charge and primer. By design only periodic maintenance is required.

The present invention is prepared to fire, by loading a projectile down the muzzle end of the barrel assembly, this is accomplished with the large end of the loader rammer, then loading a blank power load cartridge into the cartridge/gas chamber(breach end) of the barrel assembly. Then charge the firing mechanism(found in the rear receiver) by pushing in-ward on the firing pin with the small end of the loader rammer, until it latches against the trigger plunger. Place the safety pin in the safety pin hole. Screw the barrel assembly and the rear receiver together until the o-ring is compressed. To discharge the weapon, remove safety pin, point weapon at target then push trigger plunger.

To fire the weapon as a mini shot gun, load three plastic or rubber balls down the bore. The shot pattern is that of a triangular design, at 36 feet.

To discharge the weapon, when someone has thumb disabilities, turn the weapon 180 degrees so the trigger plunger is against the index finger, then press down With the thumbs muscle.

Final object of the invention, is to provide a weapon that is virtually recoilless as possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 weapon in discharged position expelling one plastic or rubber ball projectile.

FIG. 2 weapon in discharged position expelling three plastic or rubber ball projectiles.

FIG. 3 weapon in the charged mode, firing pin in the retracted position ready for activation.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the barrel assembly.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the rear receiver along with loader rammer and manual safety pin.

FIG. 6 is showing the weapon with manual safety pin in place in the hole provided.

FIG. 7 is showing one of two inherent safeties the ⅛ inch safety gap between the barrel assembly and the rear receiver. The other inherent safety, Total Separation of barrel assembly and rear receiver should be understood by a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 8 is showing the firing pin in the retracted safety position by means of the threading pressure from the barrel assembly and the rear receiver mating together, when the weapon is charged.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of all sectional views (simplicity)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 which illustrates the loading of the barrel assembly, charging (arming) the rear receiver, insertion of safety pin, and discharging the weapon.

Loading: Place a plastic or rubber ball or balls 20, into the muzzle end of the barrel assembly 01, using the large end of the loader rammer 23, push projectile(s) 20 into the bore 03 until it or they seat. Load a blank power load cartridge 22 into the breach end of the barrel assembly 01.

Charge (arm) the rear receiver: firing pin 16 is manually pushed backwards into the rear receiver 11 until it is completely through the trigger plunger firing pin guide hole 14, to the firing pin milled shoulder 15. This is accomplished by the small end of the loader rammer 23. The upward force from the trigger plunger spring 07, combined with the forward force from the fixing pin spring 10 latches the firing pin in place.

After the rear receiver is charged insert safety pin 19 into safety pin hole 18 which is set behind trigger plunger 13. To assemble the full weapon mate the male mating threads 02 with the female mating threads 05 until o-ring seal 21 is completely compressed. To discharge the weapon, a downward force on the trigger plunger 13 counter acts the trigger plunger's spring 07 upward force allowing the trigger plunger firing pin guide hole 14 to align with the firing pin 16. The firing pin 16 then slips through the trigger plunger firing pin guide hole 14 (this guide hole 14 is elongated and drilled to the diameter of the firing pin 16, the head of the firing pin 16 is milled completely round therefore there is no need for firing pin orientation. Thus striking the blank power load cartridge 22 expelling the projectile(s) 20.

Continuing with FIG.4 the barrel assembly 01 has two openings through it that connect in or near center. One is the smooth bore 03, bored to the present projectiles caliber; the other is the cartridge/gas chamber 04, which is drilled to fit only present selected blank power load cartridge casings 22. The breach end of the barrel assembly 01 has male mating threads 02 and an o-ring 21 seal behind the threads 02.

Continuing with FIG. 5 The rear receiver 11 has female mating threads 05 to be threaded to the male mating threads 02. The rear receiver 11 contains the firing mechanism, consisting of the trigger plunger 13, trigger plunger spring 07, trigger plunger spring cap 08, (these items are located in the trigger plunger chamber 12). The firing pin 16, firing pin spring 10, firing pin cap 06 (these items are located in the firing pin guide and spring chamber 08), safety pin hole 18 and safety pin 19.

Continuing with FIG. 6 after the rear receiver 11 is charged the safety pin 19 is inserted into the safety pin hole 18 located behind the trigger plunger 13, this will prevent accidental discharge.

Continuing with FIG. 7 There are two inherent safeties in the weapon. The ⅛ inch gap safety zone (firing pin no-strike zone), this is achieved by threading the barrel assembly 01 to the rear receiver 11, then simply unthread the two (01 and 11) apart ⅛ inch this will prevent accidental discharge. The other is the total separation of both the barrel assembly 01 and the rear receiver 11. This should be understood by a person skilled in the art of gun smithing.

Continuing with FIG. 8 There is a safety that is of special design. The retractable firing pin safety. This is obtained by the milled down firing pin head which is smaller in diameter than the firing pin shaft 16. When the barrel assembly 01 is loaded and threaded to the discharged rear receiver 11 the threading force pushes rearward the firing pin 16, to a neutral position in the trigger plunger 13 (half-way through it) this position prevents discharge.

Continuing with FIG. 9 This simply shows the simplicity of the present invention and how it could be used as a club/striking implement. That It's shape makes for ease of handling and manufacturing.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes there of, it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. 

1. An elongated, cylindrical less lethal muzzle loaded personal defensive firearm type weapon that discharges a single to multiple plastic or rubber ball projectile(s), and any other less lethal projectile with the same caliber by means of a single rim fired blank power load cartridge. Having, a threaded smooth bore barrel assembly, a cartridge/gas chamber, a trigger plunger, a firing pin, a trigger plunger spring, a firing pin spring, safety pin a trigger plunger spring cap, a firing pin spring cap, firing pin guide and spring chamber, trigger plunger chamber, trigger plunger firing pin guide hole, firing pin milled shoulder, firing pin nail type head, safety pin hole and rubber o-ring, a threaded rear receiver, as outlined and set forth in the specifications and drawings.
 2. To claim #1, the barrel assembly is 4.0″ in length and 1.25″ in diameter. It is of a solid, one piece construction. It has two tubular bores drilled through it. One is a smooth bore (bored to fit the caliber of the present projectile(s)). The other is the cartridge/gas chamber (bored to fit only the presently selected blank power load cartridge casing) Both are bored on the center axis of the barrel. The cartridge/gas chamber at it's breach end has a seat cut out to fit the shoulder of the cartridge casing, so that the casing is flush with the end of the male mating threads. The male mating threads are to thread to the rear receiver. Behind the male mating threads there is an o-ring seal, which securely seals the two halves together. The lengths of both, the bore and cartridge/gas chamber have been selected to give the maximum effective range of 36 feet. The breach end is chaffered to fit to the rear receiver, to form a gas seal. As outlined and set forth in the specification and FIG.
 4. 3. To claim # 2, the projectiles are plastic and/or rubber in the caliber of the present invention (9.35 mm) The weight is 8.2 grains plastic 10.2 grains rubber. [At present (with the presently selected blank casing) these weights obtain the kinetic energy of 16.2 ft./lb/plastic and 18.7 ft./lb/rubber.] As outlined and set forth in the specifications and FIG. 1, 2, 3 and 4
 4. To claim 2, the propulsion system is derived in this way; being the bore of the weapon and the cartridge/gas chamber is bored on the center axis, the cartridge casing is then installed on center axis, the projectile is loaded on center axis. When the weapon is fired the gases from the explosion of the powder and primer of the casing rushes forward through the gas chamber striking the center axis of the projectile propelling the ball projectile to the target. As outlined and set forth in the specifications and FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4
 5. To claim 1, the rear receiver is 4.25″ in length, and 1.25″ in diameter and is the operational part of the weapon. It is of a solid one piece construction, drilled only to house the firing mechanism. The female mating threads where cut on the center axis of the rear receiver. They are located at the front end of the rear receiver, at the bottom end of the threads, there is a chamferred end to meet with the chamferred end of male mating threads, to form a tight gas seal. At the front of the threads there is another chamfer, for in which the o-ring seal (behind the male mating threads) will seat, when the barrel assembly and rear receiver are threaded together. There is a firing pin guide hole drilled in the flat area below the female mating threads. The firing pin guide and spring chamber is drilled off center axis at 0.013 of an inch in order to fire the selected blank rim fired power load cartridge. The safety pin hole is drilled behind the trigger plunger chamber, both are bored perpendicular to the center axis. As outlined in the specifications and FIG.
 5. 6. To claim 5, the firing mechanism is constructed as follows; the trigger plunger spring cap is screwed into the rear receiver. The trigger plunger spring is inserted into the trigger plunger chamber, it bottoms out in the trigger plunger cap. The trigger plunger is then inserted, the trigger plunger springs upper most part fits into the recess cavity in the bottom of the trigger plunger. The firing pin is inserted into the firing pin guide and spring chamber. The trigger plunger is pushed downward, at this time the firing pin is slid through the trigger plungers' firing pin guide hole (which is elongated and drilled to the same diameter as the firing pin shaft) until it bottoms out. Then the firing pin spring is inserted into the recessed cavity in the firing pin nail type head. Finally the firing pin spring cap is screwed into in rear of the rear receiver. As outlined in the specifications and FIG. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8
 7. To claim 6, the trigger plunger is of a solid piece construction. Machine to fit only the trigger plunger chamber. There are no restriction or catches on it to hold it in place. The firing pin guide hole is drilled the same diameter as the firing pin shaft, and is elongated perpendicularly. This allows the firing pin to move freely through it. The (charging) latching action is derived by the upward force from the trigger plunger spring and this elongated guide hole, against the firing pin milled shoulder. The firing pin being through this elongated hole is what holds the trigger plunger in the weapon. As outlined in the specifications and FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8
 8. To claim 6, the firing pin is of a solid piece construction. It has two ends. The head which is machined smaller than the shaft and large enough for the firing pin guide holes and is semi-pointed. The rear end (nail type head) which is flat, and has a recessed cavity bored in it to fit the firing pin spring. The flat side of the nail type head is where the safety pin latches against if the weapon is accidental triggered. As outline in the specifications and FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8
 9. To claim 1 & 5, the safety pin is of a solid piece construction. It is bent at a 90 degree angle, ⅛ of an inch in diameter and ¾ of an inch long at the
 90. It is placed in the safety pin hole after the rear receiver is armed (charged). It falls behind the firing pins' nail type head, to prevent accidental discharge. As outlined in the specifications and FIGS. 5 &
 6. 10. To claim 2 & 5, the loader rammer is of a solid piece construction. It has two ends. One is the large end, machined to fit the bores' caliber, and is the length needed to seat the present projectile(s). The other is the small end. Machined to the diameter of the firing pin guide hole. With it's end drilled to fit on the semi-pointed head of the-firing pin. It is of the length needed to push the firing pin all the way through the trigger plunger to the charged position. As outlined in the specifications and FIG.
 5. 11. To claim 6 the tractable firing pin safety. Due to the firing pin's machined head, there is no firing pin orientation needed, thus any rearward force on the firing pin will cause the pin to partially retract into the trigger plunger. The firing pin must be totally retracted before it will charge (arm) and fire. As outlined in the specifications and FIG.
 8. 12. To claim 2 & 5, The weapon has two inherent safeties due to the present design. The ⅛ of an inch safety gap (firing pin no strike zone) and the total separation of the barrel assembly and rear receiver (which is understood by persons with skills in the art). The ⅛ inch gap just prevents the firing pin from string the cartridge casings' rim. As set forth in the specifications and FIGS. 4,5 and
 7. 13. To claim 1, the weapons elongated, cylindrical shape along with its' insert safety pin (if armed) tend to give it the ability to be a club/striking implement. Though this is not its' primary purpose. As set forth in the specifications and FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and
 9. 14. To claim 4 and 6, the weapon at present design is capable of discharging three plastic or rubber projectiles simultaneously. The use of the three projectiles lends the weapon to be used functionally as a mini-shotgun. The projectiles separate in flight, penetrating targets to create a diamond shaped pattern, at the selected maximum effective range. The weapon still only uses A single blank power load cartridge, as set forth in the specifications and FIG.
 2. 